Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Acquire knowledge about the history and formation of media infrastructures.
- Identify broader implications of infrastructures in regards to urbanism, digital culture, energy and labor.
- Recognize and analyze the resource and environmental impacts of digital infrastructures.
- Investigate the sustainability of media infrastructures
Credits: 3
Schedule: 11.01.2021 - 29.03.2021
Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Matti Niinimäki
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Samir Bhowmik, Matti Niinimäki
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
CEFR level (applies in this implementation):
Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):
Teaching language: English
Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
The course provides a framework of archaeological exploration of media infrastructures. It allows students to think beyond a single media device and design for broader media ecologies. Tracing the emergence of contemporary media infrastructures from early instances in human and media history, it examines both hard infrastructure (architecture, mechanical and computing systems) and soft infrastructure (software, APIs and operating systems). What are the breaks, the discontinuities and ruptures in media-infrastructural history? What has been remediated, in what form, in what characteristics?
The course prepares students for the follow-up course: ‘Media and the Environment’.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
80% attendance and completed assignments are required to pass the course. Short paper based on selected themes as final assignment, and/or artistic projects that demonstrate aspects of the subject.
In-class Discussion: 30% / Documentation (blog): 40% / Final Project / Article: 30%
*Students who stay above 50% will Pass.
Workload
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
- Every student will contribute to the course blog: https://blogs.aalto.fi/mediainfrastructures/. You are expected to post every week before start of class a 1 page text (300 words).
- Read the assigned literature for each class. These can be found from the Syllabus, and as well from myCourses.aalto.fi.
- Annotate and write a 1 page text. This document may have images / video / links etc. The text can be your reflections, examples, projects, ideas etc. as related to the topic and literature of the week. This may also contain the building blocks of your own final article whether it may be a piece of writing, visualization or project.
- Final Texts must also be posted on the course blog.
- Besides the required documentation, you are free to post anything else related to the subject, that could be useful to you or others on the class blog.
- Documentation to the blog will hold a 40% weightage for a pass/fail grade. At least 5 posts out of max total of 8.
DETAILS
Study Material
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
All study materials can be found in mycourses.aalto.fi and the course blog: https://blogs.aalto.fi/mediainfrastructures/
Prerequisites
Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:
RECOMMENDED
- Introduction to Media Art and Culture
- Research Skills for New Media
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10 Reduced Inequality
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
13 Climate Action
- Teacher: Bhowmik Samir
- Teacher: Niinimäki Matti